Popular Multiplayer Game Ends on PS4, Provides Free PS5 Upgrade Option

As the PlayStation 5 gradually takes center stage, the PS4 is witnessing a steady decline in support. A well-loved MMORPG is following suit by phasing out its older console versions, but there’s a silver lining—players can switch to the latest version at no additional cost.

Black Desert Online for PS4 is retiring

Pearl Abyss has officially announced the closure of Black Desert Online for PS4 and Xbox One. Fans of the MMORPG have a limited time to immerse themselves in the game before it fully transitions to the current-generation consoles. The scheduled shutdown is set for June 26 during routine maintenance, after which gamers can seamlessly upgrade to the latest version without spending a penny. The good news? All account details and in-game purchases will be carried over.

Brian Choi, Black Desert Console’s Live Service Manager, reassures players about the transition process. "You won’t lose your game data," he emphasizes. "Once you’re ready to make the move to a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series console, all your Black Desert account details and purchases will still be there for you. We know many of you might find this disappointing, but our ongoing updates have always aimed to enhance your adventures in the game."

Choi further elaborates, "Despite our best efforts to fine-tune and refresh content for the older consoles, there’s a point where hardware limitations simply cannot accommodate the latest updates effectively. After much deliberation, we’ve decided that concentrating our resources on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series versions is the best strategy to deliver a superior and more dependable service."

Reflecting on its initial release in the U.S. in 2016, Black Desert Online received a mixed bag of reviews. According to Metacritic, the game scored an average of 73 based on 35 critic reviews. It wasn’t until 2019 that it made its way to PS4 and Xbox One.